Mastering the mitre

The chunky churndash top is finished! And I mitered the corners! woohoo! They really weren't that difficult to do. I was pleasantly surprised. I spent about an hour pinning the last two borders and sewing them on, then mitering the corners. I'm ready to move forward to my next project. Just have to decide what that is going to be.... decisions, decisions....

Lost morning

Ev and I had some business to take care of this morning so I stayed home from work. I was on the fence about going in after we were done, but my lazy bones won out! It seems like the morning just flew by! After we got things taken care of I had errands to run. Went to the post office, city hall, the vet, and the grocery store. Then took Johanna to lunch.

Got some flea meds at the vet for the dogs and cats. Wrigley has been scratching a lot lately. I thought it was just dry skin, but yesterday I saw a flea, so got the meds. I thought they would be all gone because we have had a frost, but I guess not. I think part of her scratching was because of dry skin. The vet said it could be allergies or something and that I could give her benadryl to give her some relief. When we came home, I put the flea meds on all the animals and gave her a dose of benadryl, just to see if it will help calm her down. She seems content right now just to sleep on the chair, so I guess she is feeling okay again!

Doing laundry. Seems that's a never ending task! Also have a big pot of beef vegetable soup cooking. It smells good in the house! I like to put diced tomatoes and cabbage in my soup.

Going to go upstairs pretty soon and put those last two borders on the chunky churndash top. Mitering the corners is the next hurdle to get over and the top will be done. I have my "Just Do It" tee shirt on, so I'm like super woman today! ha ha. I can do anything! haha.

Stolen Moments

Nick played guitar tonight in the improv jazz band from school called Stolen Moments. He did really well on his solo's. The concert was an hour away and it was quite a rainy drive, but well worth it.

No sewing tonight since I left pretty much right after work and got home after 9. Tomorrow morning I have to go with Ev to take care of some business in the morning. I don't know if I will be going in to work or not after that. If I don't go in to work, I may get some sewing in, but I probably will go in to work. I just had four days off! :)

Nighty night

I'm going to bed. The kids are all home and settling in. Johanna and Nick are doing some homework. Bethany and Ev are watching the Wizard of Oz. I'm gonna go to bed and watch t.v. til I fall asleep.

I did get some things done today. I got the borders measured and cut for the chunky churndash and put two of the four sides on. I also made a couple more crumb blocks for potholders. I have enough made for six. I only have one finished, but I like the way they are turning out. It was fun digging in the scrap bin to make the blocks. And after making six blocks, it doesn't even look like I put a dent in them! I was making the blocks in green for the holiday, but I think I will make some blocks in blue for Mom. Her kitchen is blue.

The spaghetti turned out really good. Glad I made it. Also had salad and some garlic bread with it.

My foot is really bothering me. I think it's the bone spurs again. I'm going to have to break down and go to the doctor again about them. I certainly don't want to have surgery, but I'm not going to keep hurting like this.

In a funk again

I've got to snap out of this stupid funk I'm in again. I get so tired of trying to juggle bills and stuff, it just makes me nuts. I should be used to it by now, but there are days when it weighs me down and today is one of them. I'm going to go upstairs and drown myself in scraps, maybe that will help! haha.

Got the fixin's for spaghetti sauce for dinner tonight. Will make that up later this afternoon. Johanna works until 2, and Nick and Bethany won't be home until later tonight. Don't know what Ev's plans are, but if it warms up much at all I'm sure he's going to want to get the motorcycle out and take a ride.

Addictive behavior

I think making crumb blocks could be considered addictive behavior! I made three more crumb blocks and completed making one potholder. I used two layers of cotton batting and one layer of thinsulate and a plain piece of material on the back. I did some free motion quilting using the older Kenmore machine because I wanted to try the free motion quilting on it. I put a binding on using one of the decorative stitches that was called arrows, but could be considered Christmas trees since these were Christmas themed potholders.

Went to Tilley's for dinner. Ev had the special steak with onions and I had chicken wings. Nick and Bethany are on their way back to Mom's from a day in the city. Johanna is at work until 10 tonight.

Finally

I finally got out the iron and pressed the border and top for the chunky churndash. I don't know why I procrastinate so much on these things. It only took me half an hour! I also pressed the two crumb blocks I made last night, then trimmed them up to 8.5 inches square. I sat down at the sewing machine and made two more crumb blocks, also. Maybe my mojo is returning.

I put the turkey carcass in a pot with some water and set it to boiling. Going to clean the meat off the bones and freeze it in the stock. Not going to make soup out of it right away, but will have it for another day.

Going to go to church at 4 this afternoon then to Tilley's for supper. They have that steak that Everett likes on the special tonight.

Oh crumbs...

I did get upstairs for about half an hour yesterday evening. I made two crumb blocks on paper foundations to turn into pot holders. When we get the new semester magazine from the college at work, I take the old ones sometimes because they have nice big pages and are printed on newsprint. They make good paper for foundation piecing. Anyway, I cut the paper squares roughly 8.5 inches and just started sewing out of my scrap shoebox of greens. I vaguely have in mind to make some holiday themed potholders for my dad and maybe for my mom too. Still haven't gotten the iron out. sigh.

Went to see that movie last night. It was really cute and both Johanna and I enjoyed ourselves. There were a lot of little kids in the theater, of course, but that was to be expected.

A couple of blog readers inquired about the hoscah that I made and wanted me to share the recipe. I will be putting it up soon. It's a pretty easy recipe if you are familiar with using yeast and making bread.

Movie time

I'm a big kid at heart. The Disney movie "Tangled" is playing up at the show and I want to go see it. Johanna and I are going to the matinee in a little while. I'm looking forward to the movie almost as much as I'm looking forward to spending time with my daughter!

Made the grilled turkey, blue cheese, and onion sandwiches with some of the leftover turkey. They are always a big hit. Not even thinking about making any kind of dinner. Too many leftover in the fridge, although I know Ev will be tired of turkey really soon, like maybe later tonight. Will think about that later.

Nick and Bethany went up to visit my mom. I'm sure they will have a nice time. She is a sweet girl.

Maybe, just maybe, I will get up to the sewing room later. Bethany helped me pick out some colors to start a mystery quilt with, but I'm not going to start it until those borders are sewn on the chunky churndash. It won't take long, once I get things pressed, and I'm forcing myself to do it before I do anything else.

Late night t.v.

I taped the National Dog Show this afternoon with the intention of watching it this evening because there isn't much on t.v. I didn't have it on very long when I decided to send and email. In the process of bringing up my email, my home page flashes the winner of the dog show on it! Well, even though I know who wins, I'm still going to watch it.

Ivy was laying on the bed with me and caught a glimpse of the dogs on t.v. and was watching it! It's funny to watch her. The hound group is on now and they mentioned the Red Boned Coon Hound. Whenever I hear that name, I think about the book Where the Red Fern Grows. If you have never read it, you should. It's a good read and very touching.

It snowed for a little bit today. Bethany had never seen snow before and I was glad she got a chance to see it while she was here. Her and Nick are going to Bolingbrook tomorrow to Mom's.

Johanna has to work this weekend.

As full as a tick

I'm about to bust. I ate too much good stuff. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, the list goes on and on... oh and cheesecake! It was GOOD! Everyone loved it. And then it was nap time. It's been a good day.

I'm thankful for my family this year and every year, really. It's been so nice having the kids home for the holiday.

Everett just came in the front room and made the comment that he's afraid to open the fridge. Okay, I'll bite: Why? Everett: Because the cheesecake is staring back at me when I do. Me: Well, have a piece then! Everett: I can't. Me: Why not? Everett: Because I just had a big piece of pie! sigh. I wish everyone would eat the cheesecake so it was gone and it would not be tempting ME! haha.

Thanksgiving Eve

The house smells like pumpkin pie! Bethany helped make the pies for tomorrow. The pumpkin is baking now and will be done in a few minutes. Then we will put the cherry pie in the oven and all the baking will be done. phew. I have all the side dishes ingredients set out to be put together. Tomorrow I will just have to assemble them and put them in the oven. The bird should only take a couple hours because he isn't really big. I'll put him in the oven early. If he sits after being baked it won't hurt anything.

Johanna just left to go to her friend's house in town for the evening. Nick and Bethany will be leaving to go to the show in a little while. I will have the house to myself, but I just don't feel like doing anything up in the sewing room. I'll probably go to bed early.

So cheesy

I have a cheesecake baking in the oven. Not one of those graham cracker pie crust ones, but a real cheesecake, baking in a springform pan with a homemade graham cracker crust on the bottom. I sure hope it turns out!

Stopped over to see my great uncle for a bit this evening. Mom had sent some cookies for him to my house and I took them over. He appreciated them, I know.

Tomorrow should be an easy day at work. I'll be the only one on my side in the office. I have a dentist appointment at 3:30 so I'll be leaving a little early, too.

Made Ev a couple meatball sub sandwiches for dinner tonight. Johanna had a few meatballs. Nick and Bethany will be here in a bit and they might have some cheese pizza bread.

Going to make the pies tomorrow night.

Rain and muddy paws

We needed rain really badly so I'm not complaining that we are getting it, finally. What I am complaining about is the dogs and their muddy paws! Stinky mutts jumped up on the bed right from outside and now I have to wash the quilt that is on the top again because it's all muddy! Dag gone mutts.... sigh. Oh well, thank goodness we have a washer, that's all I can say.

Made sausage and noodles for Ev for supper. It was a garlic sausage that IGA makes in their butcher department and it smells really good.

There isn't much money for Christmas presents this year (what's new, right?) so I'm thinking about making everyone pillowcases. Not that there are a lot of people on my list, but the few there are would probably appreciate them. I will have to buy the kids something, but just don't know yet what to get them. Not going to stress over it, though.

Just two more working days and it will be Thanksgiving. I am ready for a four day weekend.

Sunday supper

I decided to make a beef roast for supper tonight. We had that, along with gravy, mashed potatoes, pea casserole and salad. It was a good home cooked meal. I also made the hoscah today. Not sure if it's going to survive until Thursday. Half of one went over to my uncle and we ate our way through the other half. I put half of the second one in the freezer and kept half out. If it gets eaten before then, that's okay but I do want to send a half to my mom next weekend when Nick goes up to visit!

I think Everett has overdosed on football today. He has been watching it for about ten hours straight now... He may need an intervention...

No sewing today. I guess I'm in a bit of a slump again. Oh well, I always snap out of them, so not going to stress.

Late night post

I usually don't post at 1 a.m. but I fell asleep at 9 and now I'm wide awake! It was funny because I just wanted to warm up and got under the covers. That was all it took and I was out! Ev had gone uptown for a beer and all the kids were out so I had the house to myself. The pups and the cats were all being quite the lovers and kept me nice and warm and cozy.

I think Sunday afternoon I might make the Hoscah. I'll put it in the freezer for a couple days because it gets stale so quickly. I'm also going to make a nice Sunday dinner for Ev and the kids. Nick won't eat the meat, but I am thinking a beef or pork roast will be nice with mashed potatoes and gravy. That way we will have leftovers for a day or two then it will be Thanksgiving.

It's no secret that I live in a small town and people know each other and by default usually know some of everyone's business. Well, yesterday a friend of mine called me to tell me about an accident that happened to the grade school principal. Now, my kids have been out of grade school for quite a number of years, but this man was principal when Nick was in 8th grade and was very good to Nick and very fair with him. I have a lot of respect for him. Anyway, it's deer season and apparently the man was out hunting and had an accident with his gun. He shot himself in the arm, close to the shoulder, and almost died from blood loss. They have had him in several surgeries, and thankfully it looks like he will make it. The question now is if they will be able to save his arm or not. I think the whole town is praying for him and that's a good thing.

We went to Tilley's tonight for supper. I told Ev I was making Sunday dinner so we won't be going there Sunday night. I do like that place and want to give it our business so hopefully it stays open and continues to serve food. Johanna went with us and we had a real nice time. Nick and Bethany were at the LAN party, still.

I still love the new DVR we have with the t.v. service! It's so easy to just set whatever you want to record. I can even do it remotely from the computer.

Saturday afternoon

I'm trying to warm my bones. We had a funeral to go to this morning and it was very cold out at the cemetery. When we got home I put on some really warm clothes and now I have the dog laying on my feet. That helps.

Johanna is home today, so I have not gotten much done in the way of sewing. Still stalled at having to press the top and borders for the chunky churndash. sigh.

Thanksgiving Menu

A Musically Themed Thanksgiving Menu

Brunch

Hot to Trot Spiced Fruit and Beautiful Baroque Baked Biscuits

Dinner

Serenade Salad

Rockin’ Requiem Rolls

Terrific Tritone Turkey Bird

Mesmerizingly Major Mashed Potatoes with Grandioso Gravy

Dynamic Dressing

Cantankerous Cantata Cranberries

Vivace Vegetable Medly

Swingin’ Sonatina Sweet Potatoes

Portamento Pea Casserole

Grandioso Green Bean Casserole

Desserts

Pretty Piannisimo Pumpkin Pie, Cheery Chorale Cherry Pie

Harmonious Holiday Hoscah

Late Night Snack

Too Much Turkey on Homemade Bunny Bread Sandwiches

Stellar Staccato Spinach Dip and Capriccio Crackers

Coyote sighting

I can honestly say I have not seen many coyotes. Today on my way home from work, it was just getting dark, and I saw one in the field along the road I was on. They look like skinny dogs to me with bigger ears.

I just have not had the energy to do any sewing today either. Been an off week for me and quilting. Don't know why. Nick's friend from Georgia came to visit. She will be here for a couple weeks. Poor kid didn't realize how cold it gets up here and did not have a warm coat with her! I gave her one out of the closet that I've never seen anyone wear, I think it was given to me but it never fit. Anyway, she has a coat and a pair of gloves at least.

Just made Ev some bacon and eggs for dinner. He called on his break to tell me they don't have any work tomorrow. These four day weeks are killing us, financially. Thank God for family, is all I can say.

Uncle Ray's wife died yesterday. I will go to the wake for a bit tomorrow night then Ev and I will go to the funeral on Saturday morning. Uncle Ray seems to be doing okay. It was expected, and came as no shock.

I've made up the Thanksgiving Menu and turned the dishes into something musical. I'll post it on here soon.

Shop til you drop

That's what I felt like I did today. I went grocery shopping, of all things, and still don't have everything for next week's Thanksgiving dinner! I have a turkey in the freezer, but would like to get a couple more while they are on sale. I didn't get one today, though. I mostly got canned goods that I need for the meal. I have a list and menu all made up, so when it gets closer I will get the perishables.

Nick called a little bit ago. He locked his keys in his car with the car running. All I can say, is thank Goodness for roadside assistance. Kids. Agh.

What's on t.v.?

Shadow kitty doesn't like to be ignored. Last night I was watching the news, when, during the weather, Shadow decided I should be paying more attention to her. Is this a funny picture or what? Cracks me up!

I haven't been up to the sewing room since the weekend. Just haven't had the umpfh to go do anything. Plus, I'm at the point where I must press things, and that's my least favorite part... Guess I need to put my 'just do it' shirt on! haha.

Busy Monday

It was a busy day at work. I'm glad today is over! I haven't gone upstairs tonight, and I'm not sure if I will or not. I need to press the top and the border strips I have sewn together. I guess I could bring them downstairs and press them in the front room but I just don't feel like doing anything tonight. Typical Monday evening.

I stopped at the store before I came home and picked up some breaded chicken tenders. Going to make Ev a chicken bacon ranch sub sandwich for his dinner. I had a couple corn tortillas with a little chicken and salsa and yogurt in them. Also had some fruit. Neither of the kids will be home for supper.

Mom is doing really well. She hasn't gone back to work yet, but will be going back soon. Probably after the holiday.

Center of top done

Here's another picture of the Chunky Churndash top. I finished putting together the centerof the top and now I'm working on the borders. I cut a strip of white and a strip of blue and am sewing them together. Then I'm going to attach them to the quilt and attempt to mitre the corners.

We went to Tilley's for supper tonight again. The special was chicken parmesan. I wasn't crazy about it. In fact, not too much of the high fat food I ate this weekend was very appealing, with the exception of the home made potato chips last night. I have got to stay on my food plan better over the weekends. I know I told myself it was okay if I just stayed where I'm at until the end of the year and the holidays are over, but I feel that I'm creeping up in weight and don't want that to happen.

Did you see that buffalo?

Here's another story from the past and my city boy husband. In our early years together we used to do a lot of camping. One spot we camped at was Marsailles State Park, along the Illinois River. It's East of Starved Rock. At the time we were there it wasn't much of a campground. It has since been developed quite a bit, but when we camped it was just a few camping lots, either with or without electricity. For the record, we had to camp in the electrified area because Everett had to have coffee in the morning. Yes, he brought an electric coffee maker camping with him. sigh. And I married him.... lol

The story is this: We decided to drive through the park a little one afternoon because there really wasn't much else to do around there. The park, at that time, was bordered by the river and farm fields. There is a lock on the river there that we visited. It was pretty interesting. We were driving through the park and this little sign says "Wildlife Viewing Area". I'm thinking, rabbits, squirrels, birds, etc. and I'm just looking around, when Everett says "Look! A buffalo!" I look and there, crossing the narrow road, is a cow. I say to Everett "No, that's a cow." He proceeds to argue with me because the sign said wildlife viewing, and a cow is not wildlife. Well, apparently the farmer's cows from the bordering field had broken the fence and wandered into the state park. I finally convinced him that it was indeed a cow. There are more cow stories to tell about that include Everett, but I'll save them for another time. Oh, and a horse story and .... you get the picture! Poor guy, just didn't know what he was getting into when he married me 23 years ago! lol

Up and moving

I'm up and moving this morning. Still trying to get warm! Getting ready for church. Then I'm sure we will go to breakfast. Don't have many plans for the rest of the day, really. Would like to get chunky churndashes top done.

A while back, when Anne gave me that big paper sack full of scraps, I separated them into colors and into gallon baggies. Well, in my s.l.o.w.... organization of the sewing room, I came across enough shoebox sized containers to use for those scraps. I still have that big tote full of my scraps that I would like to get sorted into smaller containers by colors. Once I have that done, then I want to have a string quilt project on hand at all times.

Mystery #17 from Mysteries for Relay is looking like something I want to do for sure. I've been looking at the clues as they come out and I really like the blocks. I've put it on my to-do list, along with a hundred other things!

Warming my toes

Just got home from the haunted walk in St. Charles. It was more of a light history lesson for two hours, with the tour guide promoting his book, but it was fun. Now I just need to get my feet and fingers warmed up again!

I was almost done with the book I was reading when I left this afternoon. While I was gone, Ivy had a snack. Ev took a shower and while he was in the shower she shredded the book! I swear she's not a dog - she's a mouth with a dog attached! agh.

I finished sewing the blocks together into rows, then sewed five rows together today. I have another five to sew together and the center of the quilt will be done.

A Clear Conscience

When I was growing up I lived with my Great Grandparents. Grandpa was a retired coal miner who came over from Europe with his family when he was 8 years old. Mammy was the best person I will ever know.

Grandpa liked to work outside in the garden and from dawn until dusk he was doing something. After supper he would come into the front room and sit down to read the paper, usually falling asleep in the chair at some point. He would snore (although he swore he didn't!) and sleep in that chair until it was time to go to bed when Mammy would wake him up. Sometimes she would ask him just how he could sleep like that. His answer "A clear conscience!". Still cracks me up decades later...

Didn't do any sewing tonight. I must have had a clear conscience because I fell asleep on the couch at 8! Now it's almost midnight and I'm going to bed. Nick just rolled in a little bit ago. He will be here for the weekend, it looks like. Don't know Johanna's plans.

I'm almost done with that book. When I'm done with it, I know I'll be doing more sewing. Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to dinner and on that 'haunted walk' with Donna. That should be interesting.

Veggie soup

Tonight I made a big pot of vegetable soup with lentils in it. I made it for Nick, but ended up eating more of it than he did! It was really good. I don't know if I could even duplicate the recipe again. I just threw things together. A list of ingredients are: half bag of frozen cauliflower, broccoli, carrot mix, green pepper, fresh green beans, summer squash, zuccini, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, a can of hearty progresso tomato soup, vegetable broth, half a bag of lentils. 3 bay leaves, italian seasoning, dried celery, crushed red pepper, dried chives, garlic powder, salt, pepper, parsley.

I did go upstairs and sew blocks together into rows for the chunky churndash quilt. I put blocks together for six rows. Also did a little organizing in the sewing room.

Happy Veteran's Day

A big thank you to all the Veteran's today.

I'm sitting here waiting for the guy to come to give the estimate on the basement waterproofing. He said he would be here between 8:30 and 9, so I hope he gets here soon. I've got laundry in and have several more loads to do throughout the day.

I also want to get upstairs and do some sewing. The chunky churndash is sitting there, all stacked in order and waiting for me to sew the squares into rows. I also want to start a new mystery on a pocketful of mysteries. Don't know if that's going to happen right away or not.

Ev's still sleeping. He has got to shake that cold pretty soon. It's hanging on and hanging on. Seems to have moved from his head to his chest now. I think we might go to Tilley's for lunch.

Yummy in my tummy

I made that crock pot dish with the chicken legs again tonight. Wow, it was really good. I browned the legs like I did last time, used apricot jam, red pepper flakes, parsley, celery flakes, 2 sliced onions, and rehydrated shitake mushrooms. Good stuff. Served it over egg noodles.

I have tomorrow off work. Going to try and get some sewing done. Have a guy coming in the morning to give an estimate on waterproofing the basement. Not going to do anything just yet, but want to know how much it will be, at least.

I walked on my breaks at work today and counted the steps I took. Now, I lost count a couple times and can't exactly remember the numbers, but a good LOW estimate is that I took over 3000 steps. I think I need to walk more than that each day, but right now at least I'm doing something.

Got my hair cut tonight after work. It's short and I like it! It's so easy to take care of when it's shorter.

Ivy has been quite the lover doggy lately. She just wants to cuddle and pretend to be a lap dog. She finally seems to have the housebreaking down pat. We do not leave them in the house when we aren't home if we can avoid it, mostly because she is destructo dog, not because of potty accidents. I am anxious to get new carpeting as soon as we can afford it. That's on the to-do list when tax refund season comes around.

Tuesday night

Boring post titles the last couple nights, I know. Just not much interesting going on. Johanna is working tonight and Nick is teaching lessons. I know he will be by the house later because his laundry is here. It's so nice to be needed....haha.

Today was kind of a downer at work. A young couple with a baby was in the computer room. The woman was trying to put the guy's unemployment claim in the computer. She would have to ask him questions, or the system would burp and she would get an error message, and the guy was being so mean to her. Verbally telling her she was stupid and he was sick of her trying to put it in and to get up so he could do it. Then I hear him asking someone he needs to know someone's name because she is the one who fired him. And he tells them he wasn't given a reason for being fired. Well, I was only around him for a few minutes and I can tell you why...guy's a jerk. I felt bad for the gal that was with him.

Made chili with the leftover taco meat. I cooked a little spaghetti and had chili spaghetti with cheese for supper. Ev took a container of it to work, even though he will have it again tonight for dinner. He said it just was smelling real good and he wanted some! That made me feel good.

No sewing tonight. Just not in the mood. Thursday is Veteran's Day and I will have the day off. Plan to sew all day.

Monday night

You know, sometimes I wonder at the way people can be cruel in so many ways. Not that I'm letting it hurt me, I'm so far beyond that, thankfully, but it still shocks me. I guess it shouldn't.

I had written several paragraphs after that first one, venting about some things, but then decided I didn't want to put any more negativity out there. I know it's going to sound silly, but I just have to believe that one day, maybe their own personal judgment day when they pass, people will see the hurt they have inflicted and have to answer for it. I am not blameless in this arena and know there are sins in my past that I will have to answer for, I know that.

I didn't do any sewing today. I have been reading that book, which I knew I would do once I started.

Tonight I made tacos for dinner. I'll be putting together some chili in the morning with the leftovers. That will be an easy supper for tomorrow.

In bed before nine

Yes, I'm going to bed early again. Can't hardly keep my eyes open, so I'm giving it up and going to bed. We went to Tilley's for supper, as is our Sunday tradition. It was good, as usual. I had salad, asian wings, and seasoned fries.

I finished pressing all the quarter square triangle blocks and trimmed their dogears. Then I laid them out on my bed to figure out a good way to put them together. Originally I had thought to make the quilt nine rows by nine, but I had enough blocks to make it nine by ten. There were some duplicate blocks, but that was okay. And I'm not convinced it will be getting a pieced border anymore. I think a small inner border of white and a medium outer border of blue will be sufficient. Will see when it's done. This photo does not show the final layout. I moved some blocks around to get the best balance I could of colors and light and dark.

I also spent 45 minutes in the sewing room sorting some material into the bins that are sorted by color. I still have some more to sort, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I also put some of the smallest scraps into the shoebox size bins by color. It's just that one corner that needs to be cleared out, then the sewing room will really be in good order. Well, there will still be the games and stuff that isn't sewing related, but stuff's not bothering anybody and can wait. I really want to get all the material in it's proper place. I've got some serious sewing planned for this winter.

One project I have in my mind is to make another string quilt. Ev really likes the one I made a few years ago. The only thing is, it was made as a couch quilt and it isn't big enough to cover the bed. He likes to have it on the bed, so I've got it on there going the wrong direction, just covering the bottom 3/4ths of the bed. That's okay, but I would like to have a full size string quilt for extra warmth since he really likes the pattern. That's one of the reasons for sorting the smaller scraps into shoe boxes. I intend to work out of them for those blocks.

I started reading a good book today, The 19th Wife. I'll tell more about it later, 'cause I really am sleepy, but I know I probably won't sew much until I'm done reading. That's just the way I seem to do it. I read until the book is done, then sew like a madwoman until I want to read a book again!

Time change

Nobody told the dogs about the time change. They wanted to get me up and go outside at 5 in the morning. ugh. I know they will gradually get back on schedule, but these first couple days they always get me up early!

Going to church then probably to breakfast. Slept pretty good on those new sheets! In fact, Ev is still out!

Pepper steak

We just got home from Tilley's. Tonight the special was pepper steak. When I think of pepper steak, I think of chunks of steak with grilled onions and grilled peppers. This was a ribeye steak coated in peppercorns. It was good, but I had to scrape a lot of the pepper off of it. It came with a baked potato and corn. Good meal and we didn't have to drive far, just a few blocks!

I am not a drinker, usually, but tonight I had a shot. When it was my birthday last month I had a shot they called 'chocolate cake'. It was very good, so I had one again tonight. I'm pretty sleepy right now... zzzzzzz

I love old pictures, chunky churndash update

Isn't this the cutest pic? This was my mother, many years ago, when she was a little girl. I have had her on my mind all day, and thought I would post this picture. I talked to her in the hospital this afternoon. She's doing well and should be able to go home tomorrow. The doc would have let her go home today but she had a little bit of a fever.

Here's a look at how the chunky churndash and quarter square triangles will be set. I'm liking it. I have all the blocks done. Just pressing them now.

New sheets

I went upstairs for an hour and made the waterbed sheets - yay! Now I'm washing and drying all the other bed linens, quilts, mattress pad, etc... Going to have a good night sleep tonight, that's for sure. Well, only if my hubby's cold is a little better and he doesn't cough all night... sigh.

I also took the green double nine patch quilt I made for Ev a few years ago and repaired the hole that Ivy chewed in it. I actually had some of the fabrics still that I used in it originally years ago. I didn't match the back, but used a piece of material on the back that I originally used in the binding. On the front I used material I originally used in some of the squares. It's a pretty good patch job. Ivy better find something else to chew on, though. That quilt took three years to finish. It's king sized and heavily hand quilted.

Ev's snoozing on the couch. That cold he has is really trying to grab hold of him. And it's kind of cold in the house right now. I'm tempted to get that electric blanket and curl up in the big chair with a good book. Maybe after I throw the next load of laundry in I will do just that! Ivy is laying by my feet and I know she likes the electric blanket too! haha.

Thank you

I did want to thank all the people who said prayers for Mom. I really appreciate it!

Looks like today is going to be a beautiful Fall day. Don't know what the temp is supposed to be, but the sun is shining and the colors are gorgeous on the trees.

Both kids slept at home tonight. I doubt either one will be up before noon, though. Johanna rolled in pretty late. Although Nick didn't go out, I know he was up pretty late. Ev's still asleep, but will probably be up soon. He's had a pretty bad cold. He didn't work last night, which turns out to be a good thing, at least for his health. Paycheck wise, it's another story. They called off most of the plant due to lack of work. Scary situation. Sure hope they get some orders in and quickly!

I'd like to get those quarter square triangle blocks sewn today. I'd also like to get the borders made for the quilt. I'm thinking of doing an inner border of a solid, probably the blue that is in the qst's, and then an outer border of two rows of scrappy two inch squares. Then I would use the blue for the binding.

Got lots of laundry to do today. Having Johanna home creates a lot more dirty towels. She has done her laundry for years herself, but the towels are another story. And, of course, Nick brought some of his home as well. He has to work at Dollar General today at 3. I'm glad he has kept that job for a while, just to make sure that things are going to fly with the music lessons.

Ev has been looking forward to going to Tilley's tonight for dinner. They are having pepper steak as the special and he wants to try it. They don't have a big menu selection, but they do have a daily special. The special usually is not on the regular menu, so it's a real treat to get something different. He got a steak smothered in onions last week that he just raved about. I'm guessing Delbert will go to dinner with us.

I still have to get those two flat sheets turned into waterbed sheets. That's the first thing I should do in the sewing room today. Then I can put them right on the bed and have a real treat - clean sheets! One of my favorite things!

I know one of the reasons I haven't been getting much done. It's because of the electric blanket. Yes, the blame lies on a common household appliance. (is an electric blanket an appliance or linen?) I digress, the reason is that I come home from work, get dinner done and whatever has to be done, then sit down on the couch. I only intend to sit for a half hour or so, then go upstairs, but when I sit down, I'm a little cold. So I pull the electric blanket over me and turn it on. That's it, game over. I'm out for the night.

Outside the box

My husband is so funny. Nick, Everett and I went to dinner tonight. We were at a buffet and Nick was trying to decide whether or not to get something to put on his plate. His comment was that it was meant for another part of the meal, and I told him to 'think outside the box'. It's a buffet, you can eat strawberry syrup on meatloaf if you want to (that wasn't what he wanted to do, but just an example I gave him). Well, darling husband Everett commented that he hears that moniker too much at work. Think outside the box, they tell them at his plant, especially in their safety meetings. This struck me as hilariously funny because my husband's company makes....boxes!

Mom came through the surgery fine. I haven't talked to her, just to my step dad and brothers. I asked Pop what time would be good for me to call tonight and he said not to call tonight, that Mom would call tomorrow. She might even go home tomorrow. So I will wait. I know they will call if anythings wrong.

My laptop has been giving me some trouble. Sometimes it would not turn on. I called HP and they had me download new BIOS or something like that. It's still under warranty, so I'm hoping this fixed it, but if not, I hope it acts up before the warranty is up!

Kinda worried

I'm a little worried about Mom and the surgery tomorrow. I'm sure the docs know what they are doing, but it's still surgery and all. So, once again, I'm asking for prayers for Mom. Thanks.

I can't seem to get any sewing done the last couple days. Nerves, I guess.

Short post, just don't have much to say.

Corn and beans

Remember a while back I posted that quilting was always on my mind? Well, tonight I was making dinner and was using corn and beans in a recipe (chicken enchiladas, really yummy!). I had the can of corn in the colander as well as the can of beans in there to drain. I'm looking at them thinking "corn and beans, that's the name of an old time quilt block!" If you want to see an example of the quilt block, here's a link to the Quilter's Cache that shows the block: http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CornandBeansBlock.html

Today was my first day back to work after four days off. It wasn't as bad as a typical Monday, probably because I was busy most of the day. I stopped at Wal Mart in the morning and picked up two full size flat sheets and when I got home I washed and dried them. I was going to sew them together and put pockets on one of them for a new set of waterbed sheets. I didn't get any sewing done tonight though. I made dinner and sat down and that was it! And now it's almost ten and I'm ready to go to sleep. I have become such a wimp...

The back part of my office building is being gutted and turned into offices also. The building used to be a nightclub/bar. In the dumpster there was a heavy microphone stand that I rescued for Nick. I think he will be glad to get it. Wish there was more good stuff like that in the dumpster... And I really thought my days of dumpster diving were over. Guess not.

QST's half done

I've made some progress on the quarter square triangle blocks. I got them sewn on the diagonal, cut apart, and pressed. Now I'm pairing them up and marking them for their final step into quarter square block-dom! This is a boring step. I'm not a fan of marking blocks. But it's got to be gone, so I'll grin and bear it and just get it done. Hey, maybe I should wear my 'just do it' tee shirt from Nike?!

Nick has been home and gone again. He loved the pizza! That's why I still cook around here. When the family likes something I've made and they rave about it, it really makes me feel good.

I'm tired tonight. Going to go to bed pretty soon. Maybe I can get a few good hours of sleep in before Ev comes to bed and starts snoring...hahaha. Thank goodness for earplugs!

Pizza times four

Since I had today off, I decided to go ahead and make the homemade pizzas I was going to make over the weekend. I love the new pizza peels Mom gave me! Nick will be home for a bit later and his pizza has olives and tomatoes on it. Ev's has pepperoni, tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms. Johanna's has pepperoni, onions, and green pepper. Mine has pepperoni, mushroom, onion, green pepper, and tomato. I love the dough from the Artisan Bread book (recommended by Judy L - thanks again Judy!). It makes a wonderful pizza crust.

Sure hope everyone got out and voted today! If nothing else, I will be glad when the election is over because then the political phone calls, fliers, and door knockers will END. I will not miss them.

Yesterday afternoon the power went out for about 20 minutes. Today, in the morning, it did the same thing. I was in the middle of pressing the blue material for the quarter square triangle blocks. After it came back on, about half an hour later, I finished pressing then cut the material. I marked and sewed the blocks on the diagonal. Now I need to cut them in half and press them, then mark and sew again.

Double trouble

I have a bad habit of making too many blocks. Somehow, I end up making a lot more than I really need. This problem first came to light when I made my daughter's Jewel Box quilt. I still have pieces of that floating around in the scrap bucket. Anyway, today I bought some blue material at Wal Mart to put in the quarter square triangles with some muslin to alternate with the chunky churndash blocks. I washed the material, dried it, and set about the not so fun task of ironing it. As I'm ironing acres and acres of muslin, I keep measuring it to see how much farther I have to go. As I get about halfway through it, I stopped. I realized that the 10.25" squares of muslin and squares of blue that I need will give me two blocks for the price of one when I make them. Now, it makes sense that if I need 40 qst blocks, I would only need 20 muslin and 20 blue squares. But at the time, I thought I needed 40 of each and I was just going to be an ironing and cutting fool. Glad I figured it out this time in advance!

I finished sewing and pressing all the chunky churndash blocks. Was up in the sewing room for over three hours today. I like the nice crisp feel of the blocks when they are freshly pressed. Tomorrow I hope to get the qst blocks all made. Since I bought enough of the blue material to cover the entire state of Illinois in blue, I think I'll use it in the border also.

Made some spaghetti sauce tonight that turned out really good. Didn't make the homemade pizzas over the weekend, so I might make those tomorrow.

I wonder if the puppy has trouble hearing. It seems like whenever she is asleep she doesn't hear me when I call her. Either that, or she just is really lazy.